Early Christian Manuscripts, Patristic Literature hz

General Information

Patristic literature refers to the writings of the Fathers
of the Christian church (the Greek word patristikos means
"relating to the fathers") between the latter part of the
1st century AD and the middle of the 8th century. It can
therefore be distinguished from New Testament theology at
one end and from medieval scholasticism and Byzantine
systematization at the other. It reflects the philosophical
and religious thought of the Hellenistic and Roman world
from which it derived the bulk of its concepts and
vocabulary. The themes of this vast literature are
manifold, but the theological reflection of the Fathers
focused for the most part on questions of Christology and
the Trinity.

Although writers of the East and West had much in common,
perceptible shades of difference can be found in their
theologies. A scientific theology developed in the East and
was marked by a blend of biblical theology and Platonic
idealism (especially in Alexandria) or Aristotelian realism
(especially in Antioch). In the West, Christian writers
generally depended on the Greek theological tradition,
which they often clarified in definitions or interpreted in
juridical categories, until the emergence in the late 4th
century of a sophisticated Latin theology.

Patristic literature falls into three main periods. The
ante-Nicene period (before AD 325) includes the writings of
the Apostolic Fathers, the apologetic and antiheretical
literature, and the beginnings of speculative Greek
theology. The major figures of this period include Clement
of Alexandria, Cyprian, Irenæus, Justin Martyr, Origen,
and Tertullian. The period between the councils of Nicæa
(325) and Chalcedon (451) was the golden age of the Nicene
fathers (including Eusebius of Cæsarea, the first major
church historian) the Alexandrians (most notably Athanasius
and Cyril of Alexandria), the Cappadocians (Basil the
Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa), and the
Antiochenes (John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia).

This was also the period of the great Latin fathers: Hilary
of Poitiers, Ambrose, Jerome, and, above all, Augustine.
The final period of patristic literature ends with Gregory
I (the Great) in the West and John Damascene in the East.

Collected together are the English translations of the actual texts
of many known early Christian manuscripts. These works form an
important part of the foundation for virtually every Christian Church.

In Christianity, as in all other religions, interpretation
by authors and speakers and Clergy is invariably involved. Since
different people have sometimes interpreted the wording of early manuscripts
in different ways, (as also is true of the Bible), there developed
many different "human opinions" on many important subjects, which
initiated many heresies, many schisms and a large number of Denominations
and other Churches, each which have their own human opinions on
those important subjects.

Since much of the argument seems to arise over interpretation of
the meanings of works of the early Church Fathers, we are presenting
the works here, WITHOUT significant commentary or interpretation. The
exceptions generally have to do with historical facts which are
relevant. For example, there are some short letters which appear
to have been written to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, but the author
appears to have lived many years after her! Such notes
include a brief reference to being "spurious".

There are also assorted "fragments" of manuscripts included.
In some cases, these fragments result from the illegibility of much
of a manuscript, where only certain sentences are readable. In other cases,
they are truly fragments, torn portions of manuscripts.

Being English translations, one must remember the need to consult the
original language texts for any critical study. Similarly, we must remember
that, at the time these letters and books were written, even the Bible was
written in Scriptua continua, continuous text without spaces for
paragraphs, sentences or even words, and there was no capitalization,
punctuation or other formatting. Therefore, the paragraph numbering and
Chapter headings in these texts were obviously additions by later
copyists or translators to clarify the texts.
However, without those improvements, these texts are nearly impossible
to read or understand, and so it seems tolerable to accept them.

This listing is approximately in chronological order, as is currently
understood. We hope to eventually include all known existing
Manuscripts.

Hilary of Poitiers

{hil'-uh-ree, pwaht-ee-ay'}

Hilary, c.315-c.367, was the leading theologian of Western
Christianity in the 4th century. He was elected (c.353)
bishop of Poitiers and distinguished himself by his stand
against Arianism. Exiled (356-59) by Emperor Constantius
because of his anti-Arian efforts, he used the time to
write. His major works include De Trinitate, a study of the
Trinity, and De synodis, a valuable historical record of
the time; he also composed hymns. Hilary returned to
Poitiers in 361. He was declared one of the Doctors of the
Church in 1851. His name is used to designate the spring
term (Hilary term) at Oxford and Durham universities and in
English courts. Feast day: Jan. 13.

John of Damascus

{dam'-uh-seen}

Saint John Damascene, b. c.675, d. Dec. 4, 749, was a Syrian
Christian theologian who synthesized the doctrines of the
Eastern Fathers of the Church. His father served in
Damascus under the Muslim caliph as a treasury official, a
high office to which John succeeded. Around 715 he entered
the monastery of Saint Sabas (Mar Saba) near Jerusalem,
where he studied theology and was ordained a priest.
Between 726 and 730, Byzantine Emperor Leo III issued
edicts against the cult of images. John became a leading
figure in the defense of icons in the iconoclastic
controversy.

Among his many writings the Fountain of Knowledge is the
main work. It is divided into three parts--a study of Greek
philosophy, a history of heresies, and an exposition of the
teaching of the Eastern Fathers on the central Christian
doctrines. John is a Doctor of the Church. Feast Day: Dec. 4.

Ambrose

Ambrose, c.339-97, bishop of Milan, was an outstanding
pastor, administrator, and theologian. He is counted as one
of the Doctors of the Church. Ambrose grew up in Rome and
undertook a brilliant political career. While governor of
northern Italy and still a catechumen--one under
instruction in Christian doctrine before baptism--he was
chosen (374) bishop of Milan by both traditional Christians
and the proponents of Arianism. Within one week, he was
baptized a Christian and ordained a priest and a bishop.

As bishop, Ambrose was admired for his learning and oratory,
his compassion toward the needy, and his austere
life-style. In defending the freedom and authority of the
church, he admonished imperial rulers who were guilty of
injustice and violence. He baptized Augustine, future
bishop of Hippo. Ambrose composed hymns and wrote on the
Bible, doctrine, and asceticism. He is sometimes credited
with the composition of the Athanasian Creed. Feast day:
Dec. 7.